The genus Fusarium produces many mycotoxins injurious to poultry.
The trichothecene mycotoxins produce caustic and radiomimetic patterns of disease exemplified by T-2 toxin and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS). Deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin, DON), fumonisins, and zearalenone are common Fusarium mycotoxins that are relatively nontoxic for poultry but toxic for swine and horses.
In poultry, fusariotoxicosis may result in the following:
feed refusal
caustic injury of the oral mucosa and areas of the skin in contact with the mold
acute digestive disease
immunosuppression and hemorrhages
decreased egg production and poor eggshell quality
Other Fusarium mycotoxins cause defective growth of long bones. The fumonisin mycotoxins produced by F verticillioides impair feed conversion without causing specific lesions.
Moniliformin is also produced by F verticillioides and is cardiotoxic and nephrotoxic.
